Basic Program and Structure

The Education Specialist Credentials for Mild/Moderate (M/M), and Moderate/Severe (M/S) Disabilities, are basic credentials that do not require a general education credential as a prerequisite. The Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials consists of 3 units of Co-requisites, 7-10 units in General Education, 15 units in Common Core curriculum, 7-9 units in Credential Specific curriculum, and 13 units of Student Teaching/ Seminar. Please refer to Course Requirements for a listing of specific program coursework requirements. After obtaining a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential, the requirements must be met for the Clear (Induction) Education Specialist Credential.

Program Length

Depending upon point of entry, candidates with prior teaching credentials may complete the program in a minimum of 2 semesters. Fall admission for these candidates is encouraged if they anticipate completing the program in 2 semesters.

Candidates with NO prior teaching credentials MUST start in the Spring and may complete the program in a minimum of 3 semesters.

Candidates for the Education Specialist Credential who already hold a California teaching credential (not an emergency or substitute permit) may have already met the requirements marked by the asterisk (*)below. Please contact the Credentials Office at 707-664-2832 or 707-664-3141 for confirmation if you think you may have already met these requirements.

Basic Skills Requirement(Please be sure to indicate the SSU is approved to receive scores)

There are currently two options available for Preliminary Education Specialist candidates to meet the Basic Skills Requirement.

Subject Matter Competency

Verification of Subject Matter Competency is required by the State of California prior to admission into a credential program.(Please be sure to indicate the SSU is approved to receive scores)(Submit ONE of the following):

CSET Exam Scores (California Subject Examinations for Teachers)
CSET test dates, test registration procedures and deadlines, and test score reporting dates are available at http://www.cset.nesinc.com. You may also contact the Credentials Office for this information. Plan to take the CSET exam no later than the July test administration for Spring admission and no later than the January administration for Fall admission. Taking the exams any later than these dates may result in delays in admission and in your being authorized to register for your courses. In order to further expedite admissions, please submit a photocopy of your test scores directly to the Credentials Office.

Subject Matter Waiver Letter or Verification of Enrollment in Subject Matter Waiver Program
Submit a letter from your subject matter program advisor verifying you completed the waiver program or a memo verifying you are enrolled in a subject matter waiver program (Single Subject Waiver program only).

Note: Completion of Subject Matter Waiver is required prior to admission into the Credential program. For more specific information contact the Credentials Office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu.

Candidates meeting subject matter competence for the Education Specialist Credential through examination must pass the COMPLETE SERIES of CSET exams in one subject area. For example, candidates can take and pass the CSET: English (4 subtests) OR CSET: Multiple Subjects (3 subtests) to meet subject matter competence for the Education Specialist Credential.

Subject matter competency (SMC) also relates directly to your employability. Thus, while the CSU requires SMC as a program admission requirement, your eventual employer or setting of employment may have different SMC expectations.

For questions regarding this requirement, please contact the Credentials Office at 707-664-2832 or 707-664-3141.

BA or BS Degree

– complete prior to award of the credential

Certificate of Clearance (or copy of previous CA credential)

file with application to the credential program

Negative T.B. / Chest X-ray Results (within last 60 days)

– file with application to the credential program

Legal Seminar–

complete as part of the admission requirement

Course or Exam in U.S. Constitution–

complete prior to award of the credential

Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA)(Please be sure to indicate the SSU is approved to receive scores)

complete prior to award of the credential

Valid CPR Card Copy which Covers Infant, Child and Adult CPR Skills

complete prior to award of the credential

Cumulative 3.0 grade point average upon completion of all credential program courses:

Individual course passing grade is a “ C” or better – includes prerequisites and program coursework

*Candidates for the Education Specialist Credential who already hold a California teaching credential (not an emergency or substitute permit) may have already met these requirements

** Taking more than 5 additional units of coursework while enrolled in student teaching and the associated seminar requires
prior approval of the department.
All candidates completing fieldwork (participant observation or student teaching) in basic teacher education programs are required to carry professional liability insurance. Sonoma State University provides this insurance at no cost to the student.
For more Information:
The School of Education offers Information Sessions on a monthly basis (check website for details) for prospective candidates interested in applying to our Education Specialist credential programs or contact our Credential Office at (707) 664-2832.